I have been wanting to make
a chest of drawers for my office for ages, so just to show how easy it
is, I use the new method for installing drawers runners - and even a
blonde can do it !

I need a 4-drawer pedestal for my office, so what better time to try
out the new method for installing drawer runners the easy way. Of
course, I still needed to build the cabinet beforehand.

YOU WILL NEED:

Apart from the laminated pine, all the other pieces were cut to size
from offcuts left over from previous projects, so please excuse the fact
that they might not look exactly like those specified in the cutting
list below!

2 of 455 x 700mm laminated pine -
sides

2 of 400 x 455mm laminated pine -
top / base

8 of 69mm PAR pine cut to 399mm -
frame supports

4 of 170 x 435mm laminated pine - drawer fronts

1 of 20mm dowel 1800 long - top surround and cut to fit (my dowel is
25mm dia)

16mm screws

40mm screws

Pattex No More Nails adhesive

Alcolin WoodMate or Pattex acrylic sealer

Wood filler

Woodoc gel stain - I used antique oak

Sponges or lint-free cloths

TOOLS:

Mitre saw or mitre box and backsaw

Drill / Driver plus assorted bits

Pockethole jig - or substitute with angle brackets

Orbital sander plus 120- and 240-grit sanding pads

Tape measure and pencil

Steel rule or carpenter's square

You can buy everything you need for this project at your local Builders
store.

CONTINUES AFTER AD

HERE'S HOW:

NOTE: I am using my Kreg pockethole jig to assemble
the cabinet. This method allows you to make furniture without any
visible screw holes but you can substitute with dowels, biscuits or
brackets for the same result.

1. Use the pockethole jig to drill holes in all the frame supports,
as well as the base.

2. Place one of the sides on a flat, level surface
and secure 2 top supports onto the side with 40mm screws. Make sure the
support is flush with the top and side edges.

3. Each drawer opening is 150mm high. Use a tape
measure and pencil to measure and mark at 150mm down from the top
support and at 170mm down for the thickness of the pine support. Repeat
this for the remaining openings.

GOOD TO KNOW

If your pine is not 20mm thick - allow for the thickness of
the pine you will be using. If your pine is slightly thinner of
thicker you can allow for this at the base of the unit by making the
bottom drawer smaller or larger, as required.

4. Now you can continue to add all the remaining
supports on the drawn marks.

5. Place the other side on your worktop.
Transfer the measurements for the supports onto the other side and place
the frame with the mounted supports on top of this. Secure with screws
on the drawn lines, making sure everything lines up.

6. Attach the base in the same way. Below is what
your completed frame should look like.

7. Screw the top in place, allowing a gap at the
sides and back for mounting the dowel surround. If you prefer to leave
this off you can have the top cut to size, or larger if you want an
overhang at the sides and front. Secure with 40mm screws through the
support and into the underside of the top.

8. Cut 2 dowels for the sides, each with a 45-degree
angle to form the frame. My dowels are 25mm and are too large, but if
you use 20mm diameter dowels the corners should be perfect. Cut the back
dowel last, so that you can adjust the length to fit.

9. Glue the dowels onto the frame of the cabinet
using Pattex No More Nails adhesive and leave this to set for a couple
of hours.

10. I also used Pattex No More Nails adhesive to fill
in the gap around the edge of the dowel frame and top, and wood filler
at the dowel corners.

You now have a basic frame for your drawer unit.
Although I stained my cabinet later on, it is easier to do it now.